Railway crosstie



2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor c. E35 H. c, MYER @@5324 l RAILWAY CROSSTIE Filed Oct, 27, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 77622 fyi/Wye?? Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED` STATES PATENT OFFICE l RAILWAY oRo'ss'rIE,

Henry C. Myer, Denver, Colo. Application october 27, 1934, serial No. 750,337

2 Claims.

-This invention relates to an improved cross-tie for railway constructional Work and it has more particular reference to a composite tie structure possessing certain features of construction, renement and improvement as are calculated to permit it to perform in the desired capacity in a more satisfactory and reliable manner.

Needless to say, I am aware of the fact that the invention relates to a well developed art and that certain of the objects herein recited have been sought after by prior inventors. My primary aim is, therefore, to provide an improved cross-tie which is characterized by comparatively new adaptations such as will enable it to perform in prolonging the life of a railway track, and to thereby promote safety and economy because of the greater dependability and efliciency obtained. My primary aim is to generally improve upon prior cross-tie constructions by providing an arrangement embodying a protective casing, a wooden or equivalent filler for said casing which functions as a cushion, a special adapter unit associated with the casing and ller, and retaining and regauging means for'securely fastening the base iiange of the rail to said adapter unit. Y A further aim is to provide ingenious and scientically designed means for effectively and securely fastening the base flange of the rail to the improved cross-tie construction. As will be hereinafter emphasized this feature has to do with a novel cleat, bolt andy nut assembly, and an adjusting plate of a predetermined type which cooperates with the bolt and with a shouldered portion of the cleat to allow the cleat to be shifted laterally with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the track to allow for adjustment of the rails toward and from each other or to permit regauging when wear occurs.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a pair of rails used in a conventional track construction showing these associated with and fastened to a pair of the improved cross-ties.

Figure 2 is a view showing the relationship of said rails to one of the cross-ties.

Figure 3 is an enlarged end View of Figure 2 observing it in a direction from left to right.

Figure 4 is a view showing a slight modification of the rail anchoring and gauging cleat or fastener.

In the drawings the conventional track rails are denoted by the numeral 5. In Figure 4, however,

(Cl. 23S-54) I have shown a jointing or sh plate 6 such as is sometimesused in the assemblage. This is unimportant though, so far as it relates to the real merit and novelty of the cross-tie and its assoelated details. v

Referring to the cross-tie as an improvement in the prior art,it is thought that Figure 3 exemplies or depicts thegeneral arrangement. As shown here the structure embodies a sheet metal protective casing 1. This may be said to be of 1o channel shaped cross sectional form and the up* per edges of theside walls thereof are provided Vwith inturned retaining or clamping lips 8. The

channel is open at its opposite ends to receive a wooden ller block 9 which is of proportions com- 15 mensurate with the cross sectional measurements of the metallic protective casing 1. YThis may be a suitable texture of wood having requisite properties of longevity and resiliency. The purpose of the block is to serve as a ller for the casing as 20 Well as a seat or cushion for the associated superposed adapter unit I0. This unit is in the nature of an I-beam and it will be noted that the base flange II is so made as to rest firmly on the block and the block is of a vertical height less 25 thany the side walls of the channel so as to allow the inturned clamping lips 8 to keep the parts 9 and I0 assembled in superimposed relationship (see Figure 3). The top or head flange I2 of the I-beam is joined to the base flange I I through 30 the instrumentality of a web i3 and said top flange serves as the primary rest or seat for the base flange of the rail 5. The rail 5 extends at right angles across said ange I2. Y

Referring to Figure V2 it will be observed that 35 the flange I2 does not extend the full length of the unit I0. That is to say it is in reality two flanges, these being located adjacent the opposite ends of the tie and the intervening portion of the web being cut away so that said portions recede 40 in diverging relationship as illustrated.

It may prove of importance to observe the details fofconstruction of this Vadapter unit I0 in these respects. It will be noted for instance that the head flange I2 which forms a chair or seat 45 for the rail is divided into two sections as shown in Figure 2. In addition, it is somewhat narrower in Width than the base flange I I. The base flange I I is of corresponding width with the block 9 and the combined height of the block 9 and flange I I 50 are such as to permit these parts to have a rrn retention fit in the channel shaped casing with said parts maintained in proper assembly through the instrumentality of the clamping lips v8. The flange I2 is about equal in Width to the distance 55 between the longitudinal edges of the inturned lips 8. This arrangement provides the relative proportion of parts believed necessary to render the features accessible for adjustment and repair. In addition it will be noted that the Weight of this part Il! as a unit is materially reduced by the tapered web formation. That is to say, the converging portions of the web as depicted in Figure 2 together with the omission of the flange I2 lat these points makes the unit Ill somewhat lighter in weight than would otherwise be and at the same time maintains requisite rigidity and strength.

The means for fastening the rail 5 to the flange I2 may be of varied construction. I prefer, however, to employ adjustable cleats I4 for this purpose. The cleat as shown in Figure 1 at the right hand corner is formed with aslot I4 adjustable on the shank of the clamping bolt I6. The cleat is also formed with a retaining finger or hook I'I fashioned to engage over the rail, that is the base flange of the rail as illustrated especially well in Figure 2. In addition to this hook formation on the cleat I call attention to the numeral I'Ia which designates a shoulder. This shoulder has an important function `in the placement and maintenance of the cleat I4. The function of this hook II and its associated shoulder on the plate III will become more readily apparent in the succeeding paragraph. It might be mentioned also, that in the slight modification shown in Figure 4 wherein a fish plate or equivalent jointing device is employed in the track construction the hooked portion I'I of the cleat is made somewhat higher so as to engage over the sh plate rather than engage directly with the base flange of the rail. This is, however, an obvious expedient. In connection with this fastening means I might also mention an adjusting plate or abutment I8, a washer I9 and a clamping nut 20 carried by the bolt. These parts when associated as shown in the drawings -serve to insure appropriate and dependable anchorage and fastening of the rail 5 to the flange I2. Particular importance is attached to the adjusting or abutment plate I8. As a unit, this may be said to be of general rectangular form. It is observed, however, that the bolt hole is somewhat eccentrically disposed with respect to the marginal edges of the plate. 'Ihis allows the plate to serve as a turnable gauging member for cooperation with the shoulder IIa.. In other words, when one edge is in engagement with the shoulder I'Ia!r this determines the fixed position of the cleat I4 as a unit. If, however, the cleat is adjusted in or out with respect to the rail or the rail is adjusted with respect to the cleat then it is necessary to turn this gauging plate I8 around the stem of the bolt tobring the desired edge into abutting relation with the shoulder Ila. It is evident that by loosening the bolt and lifting the plate IB clear of the shoulder Ila it can be turned to the desired position so as to allow it to be again dropped down behind the shoulder and to thereby regulate and sustain the position of the cleat. This ladds to the efciency of the adjustable cleat arrangement and makes it possible to move the rails 5 toward or from each other or to regauge them from time to time as conditions require. It follows, therefore, that in addition to` the efficiency of the arrangement depicted in Figure 3, the slotted cleat and bolt assemblage ls equally important, and that all of these parts and features considered to the ultimate success of the invention asa whole.

It is believed to be practicable and effective in this line of endeavor to provide the assemblage of parts shown especially in Figure 3. That is to say the channel-shaped casing 'I serving as 4a holder for the block 9 and flange I I is thought to be unique. Broader novelty is, however, predicated upon the use of a casing 'I having a cushioning block 9 and an I-beam unit IE) associated therewith in superimposed relationship together with suitable fastening means carried by the flange I2 to hold the rail 5 in place. Specific novelty is presumably evident in the particular construction and formation of the unit I, that is a unit which includes a flange I I commensurate in length with the parts l and 9, a sectional fiange I2 upon the individual chairs or seats at the opposite ends of the adapter unit, and the diminished web I3 which serves to reduce weight and at the same time retain the -desired rigidity.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to.4

which the invention relates will be able to obtain a `clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regard-ed as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What I claim as new ls:

l. A cross tie assembly comprising a casing of channel shape in cross-section, a cushion block substantially the same length as the casing located in the casing, a beam of substantially I- shape having its base flange resting on the block, inwardly extending anges at the upper edges of the casing extending over the base flange of the beam for holding said beam on the block, the top of the beam forming a seat for rails and means for fastening the rails to said top part of the beam.

2. A cross tie assembly comprising a casing of channel shape in cross-section, a cushion block substantially the same length as the casing located in the casing, a beam of substantially I- shape having its base ange resting on the block, inwardly extending flanges at the upper edges of the casing extending over the base ange of the beam for holding said beam on the block, the top of the beam forming a seat for rails and means for fastening the rails to said top part of the beam, and said beam being of metal and the fastening means including bolts passing through the top part of the beam.

HENRY C. MYER. 

